The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-10-08

sand dollars; and it looks as II the neet
had not been urged or we should Ions
since have had respectable endowment
Brethren of the ministry, let us go charged
with thought, enthusiasm and money fol
this Fund. Let it not be said that w
have been so silent in regard to the mat
ter that our brethren in the pews were al
she time ignorant that we had use for THU
money. Unless there shall be a good
substantial work done in this direction
you may count our Convention work FOL
1887 as largely open to criticism.
Detroit.
Large audiences have greeted DR.. Rex
ford since vacation, larger than they have
been since the movement began. There
is need of one or more missions in differ.
emit parts of the city; and when the time
has fully come, we may expect that the
First Church will take vigorous hold OF
the work. The Reading Room is meet.
ing with large success. Many avail them
selves of the privileges it offers, and the
Doctor says it has come to stay. All
parts of the church work seem in health
full condition and no doubt the fall and
winter months will add much to the f.
nanciel, social and religious strength OF
the church. 1t gladdens our heart also
to record that Mrs. Rexford seems to be
on the way to permanent health.
Grand Rapids.
DIR. Fluhrer and his church steadily
prosper. A parish paper is among the re-
cent innovations. It gives generous
notice of all services connected with the
society and aims to keep the eyes of the
people open to the needs and deeds Of the
parish. The good Doctor is the compe-
tent and vigorous Secretary of the Con-
vention, and from time to time reminds
delinquents of church assessments, and
in manifold ways strives to keep up a
general activity and enthusiasm in our
Zion.
Lansing.
We learn with regret that Br. Squires
has resigned the pastorate of this import
ant field. We shall miss him much, for
he was a very wide awake neighbor. We
trust that his lines may fall in pleasant
places, where there is plenty of ministe-
rial timber to gather in. And may the
good old parish take to itself new cap
tain and with undated vigor press on to
still greater success. There is most ex-
cellent material in the church, and he
may be counted fortunate who fills the
place made vacant by the retiring pastor.
Hillsdale.
We get constantly good reports from
Br. Dickerman and his people. Harmony
prevails everywhere. The fold is filing,
and the goodly shepherd is only happy
when busily increasing the flock. We
anticipate an excellent Convention, be-
cause Of the splendid spirit which per-
vades the parish. A year ago the field
was fallow, but now there is an excellent
harvest. Let the work go on, the sowing
and the reaping; tits thus the garnerer is
made happy and the store-houses filled.
Lapeer.
The good work goes right on here.
Everytime we ask we receive the answer,
"We are getting along delightfully."-. Br.
Jacobs fills the bill and we are happy"
Last year there was not much to encour-
age the people for the future, but what a
change few months have wrought. We
were taken to task by good lady of this
church at our last Convention, because of
our somewhat strong words in reference
to dormant parishes. We may say all we
choose this year and Lapeer will not show
breath OF ruffle. So it is. The scene
has changed and we rejoice.
Charlotte, Concord, Decatur, Dowagiac,
Liberty, Manchester, Portland, Tecum-
sch, are all enjoying prosperity. So far
as we can learn the people are united and
the ministers contented and active. We
have gained much during the year in
every way, and our delegations ought to
be large to the State Convention. Let ell
the brethren work that they may be, and
they shall be.
Bay City.
Unusually large congregations are
greeting the pastor since vacation. Very
many strangers attend each service, and
now and then a family or two becomes
permanently associated with the church.
More pews are rented up to date, than
ever before since our society was organ
made to add handsome parsonage to
the many victories achieved in the last
three years.
NARTHERN AHIA